fPcN interCultural:

friends of Peoples close to Nature

MISSIONS DESTROYS TRIBAL CULTURES AND LEADS TO GENOCIDE

Note: Missions Insider avoids mentioning names that could make the subjects targets of anti-Christian activity. Names of ministries are sometimes mentioned when they are conducting work in areas of religious freedom.

1. Sri Lanka: Falsely Accused
2. China: His Truth Is Marching On
3. Tibet: Faith to Move Mountains
4. Sierra Leone: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
5. Photo of the Week: Tea Garden Fellowship 1. Sri Lanka: Falsely Accused
Buddhists in Sri Lanka attempt to halt the spread of Christianity.

Since the death of one of Sri Lanka's most venerated Buddhist monks last December,
Christians have faced increased persecution from Buddhists there.

This particular monk, who aroused Buddhist society against Christians, died of a
heart attack. Rumors spread, however, that he was murdered by Christians. Buddhist
attacks on Christian churches and prayer centers began to spread as a result.

A gang of Buddhists recently demanded that a missionary demolish his church building, which has operated in the region for 28 years. Police officers were stationed outside of the church after Buddhists damaged the windows and roof, but they were virtually powerless against the larger number of the crowd determined to end the presence of Christianity there.

"We can no longer hold open-air and cottage meetings or distribute tracts," a native missionary has reported. "Moreover, they say that since Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country, the people should not be allowed to change their religion."

In support of the Buddhists, the communist party in Sri Lanka issued a statement condemning Christian conversions as a threat to the social fabric and inter-religious harmony in Sri Lanka.

Article 9 of the Sri Lankan Constitution gives prominence to Buddhism over other religions, holding the State responsible for its protection.

The Conference of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in Sri Lanka also issued a statement condemning conversions, seeing evangelicals as a threat to Buddhist-Catholic unity.

For more information about how you can help Christians in Sri Lanka as they face Buddhist oppression, write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-517 701-HGF in the subject line

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2. China: His Truth Is Marching On
Churches continue to thrive, despite persecution

This year 12 new missionary training bases have opened in China with financial help from Christian Aid. That brings the total number of Bible institutes and theological seminaries that indigenous missionaries have set up and operate to 116, with at least one in every province.

Many of the larger schools conduct satellite sessions in surrounding towns where night classes are offered to young people eager to prepare for Christian service. The total number of full-time and short-term trainees throughout all of China now exceeds 40,000 each year.

In some areas where Bible institutes are associated with church congregations of 1000 or more, they are allowed to flourish with no opposition. The pastors, elders and leaders in these churches are Christ-centered Bible believers. At other locations, however, severe persecution continues for Chinese Christians. Local police often demolish the buildings of unregistered house churches, imprison ministry leaders and place homes under surveillance.

One of the main reasons Communist leaders have lessened their opposition to the Bible schools is because of the compassionate work accomplished by students and graduates in Chinese communities. In Henan province Christians operate a hospital that is known for offering the best medical services at the lowest cost. It stands in stark contrast to several other hospitals, where medical personnel demand bribes before providing expert care.

Christian leaders in Fujian province have begun numerous humanitarian projects, such as a 10-story nursing home, topped with a cross. The ministry cares for elderly indigents, and the upper floors are used as a Bible training and discipleship center. The local government not only approved the project, but also praised the owners for the excellent care given to elderly citizens.

With financial help from Christian Aid, the growth of churches and Bible training schools throughout China has skyrocketed in recent years. Many Chinese are hungry for Christ, especially those who witness the compassionate care that Christians extend to their fellow citizens. The prayers of God's people around the world are being answered in the rapid spread of the Christian faith to the far corners of the country.

You can be a part of this great movement of God in China by helping indigenous missionaries through prayers and financial support. Write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-517 900-WMN in the subject line.

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3. Tibet: Faith to Move Mountains
Tibetan ministry reaches the forgotten people behind the Himalayan Mountains.

The identity of the Tibetan people is strongly bound to their Lamaistic Buddhist religion and traditional customs, many of which create severe problems for the people entrenched in this spiritual darkness. One of the customs requires women to prove themselves suitable for marriage by being capable to conceive a child. Many young girls become pregnant with a male family member. When the illegitimate child is born, it is usually abandoned. Many are left along roadsides or street corners. Christian Aid is helping believers there to rescue some of these children before they die.

The high Himalayan range between China and India has traditionally created a barrier for the spread of the gospel to Tibet, which is one of the last frontiers to receive a witness for Christ. A railway, however, is scheduled to reach Tibet in 2007 from an adjoining province of China, which will pave the way for economic development and new opportunities to spread the gospel.

Seeing Christ as a foreign deity who is encroaching upon the territory of their current gods, Buddhist lamas attempt to isolate Christians from the rest of the community on which they are very dependent. Three Christians recently died in a landslide, for example, and the Tibetan villagers believe it happened because they gave up their traditional faith and followed a new God.

Although Christian ministries are comparatively scarce in Tibet, several have boldly proclaimed the gospel through compassionate care.

Two Tibetan women who came to Christ in Nepal sensed God's leading to start a school and children's home to help families of Tibetan refugees. Without a source of support, these women prayed for God's provision, and acted in faith. Christian Aid staff learned of their work and began financial help.

Today, native missionaries at the children's home teach about the love of Christ, along with Tibetan language and culture. Some Buddhist parents desire their children to attend because of the good, culturally relevant education. As the children become believers in Christ, they take their faith back to their Tibetan families, many of whom now attend the Bible study that meets in the largest room at the children's home.

The ministry leaders, desiring to have well-qualified teachers, initially paid higher salaries than the government schools. In 2000, however, the government doubled teacher salaries to keep pace with inflation. The price of staple food items has doubled recently due to inflation, but the workers persevere, believing that Christ is leading them to continue caring for the children.

If you would like to help take care of the children, and in doing so to help reach the Tibetan people with Christ's good news, please write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-517 702-TAF in the subject line.

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4. Sierra Leone: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Sierra Leone ministry shares the love of Christ in a nearly impossible environment.

Open sewage is the playground for children in many parts of Sierra Leone. No public toilets exist, leaving waste scattered in the roads and ditches.

In the African heat, open waste festers in many communities, fostering the spread of disease. Yet the children seem oblivious to the smell and the dangers.

During the country's recent civil war, many of Sierra Leone's older children were recruited into military service. The war ended almost a year ago, allowing many children to return home to try to regain part of their childhood. Many thousands of children only enjoy a brief respite, however, before their lives are taken by malnutrition or disease.

Native missionaries are planting churches within these communities by visiting homes with food and the message of Christ. Once the presence of God is fixed firmly in the minds of the people, they see that God cares about their personal needs as much as He cares about building His house.

By providing public toilets for impoverished people in Sierra Leone, native missionaries elevate the standard of hygiene in the community and reveal a loving, caring God who meets personal needs.

To learn how you can meet important needs in Africa, write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-517 530-WMN in the subject line

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5. Photo of the Week: Tea Garden Fellowship

http://www.christianaid.org/pow/pow-5-17.asp

A new fellowship has started in one of the tea gardens in northern India. Ministry is being carried on in the lower level of a new believer's home, and the family is living on the second floor. Even though, the population is scattered and believers live far from one another, they gladly walk long distances to gather in this place. Please pray that many more souls may be saved in this region, and for the Lord's provision for native missionaries serving in remote places like this.

To learn more about how you can assist indigenous missionary work in North India, write to insider@christianaid.org and put MI-517 675-HIC on the subject line.

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Direct inquiries to insider@christianaid.org. Please pray for these and other indigenous ministries. To assist them financially, mail your gifts to Christian Aid or give online at ChristianAid.org.
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Mission Statement:

Missions Insider is a free email report from Christian Aid Mission, your link to the world of indigenous missions. We seek to establish a witness for our Lord in every tribe and nation (Matthew 24:14) by supporting highly effective native missionary ministries based in poorer countries overseas, or where believers are persecuted. Christian Aid has contact with more than 6000 indigenous ministries that have a total of 300,000 missionaries on the field or ready to go when support is available.

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